Associated Press, 3 December 1998. Anti-privatization
union members attempt to storm the Congress building. The
protesters are against privatization of the country's
state-owned water system. The government has already
privatized half of the state-owned telecommunication and
electricity companies, and argues it needs to privatize
water service to attract private investment and improve
service.

By Eric Jackson, labornews, 11 December
1998. Uncertainties about next year's canal reversion
are being exacerbated by presidential proclamations and
ongoing disputes, and that has prompted the canal
workers' unions to move on several fronts. The
National Maritime Union morale is very low because the
administration hasn't been serious in its labor
relations.